Author: Shannon

Shannon Blosser is the pastor of Mount Olivet and Benwood-McMechen UMC in the Wheeling, W.Va. area. He is an ordained elder in the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is particularly focused on how the witness of faith creates inclusion and acceptance of those with disabilities within the church. Before entering ministry, Shannon wrote professionally as a sports and news writer for West Virginia and North Carolina newspapers and policy organizations. He lives in McMechen, W.Va., with his wife, Abbi, sons, Noah and Tad, and their cat, George. He is an alum of West Virginia University and Asbury Theological Seminary. In his spare time, you can find him watching WVU athletics, studying presidential history, cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals baseball, or attempting to play golf.
Christian Leadership, Christianity, Sports

Is There a Limit to Our Sports Obsession

Former Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis coined a phrase that has become familiar to all, regardless if you spend your evenings watching whatever game is on ESPN.

He said, “Just win, baby!”

Just win.

Many of us have ascribed to this philosophy when it comes to our favorite teams, whether it be the professional or collegiate ranks. (For the purposes of this column we will focus primarily on college athletics.) We want the thrill of victory and will accept almost anything to be victorious when the game is over.

Sports is about winning and there is nothing wrong with wanting our teams to win. It is part of what makes sports fun and enjoyable. I have often told my wife that if West Virginia University ever wins a national championship in anything besides rifle that it would be one of the happiest days of my life. She got a brief taste of this excitement in 2010 when West Virginia advanced to the Final Four and I immediately ran out of the house screaming for joy. Continue reading “Is There a Limit to Our Sports Obsession”

Christian Leadership, Christianity, Devotion, Encouragement, Faith, Life, Sermon

Expect the Unexpected

A high school friend of mine, yesterday, made an interesting observation on Facebook about this time of year. She said she wanted a bumper sticker that proclaimed to fellow drivers how she survived shopping at Wal-Mart the Saturday before Christmas.

That is a bumper sticker we all want by this point in December. We have arrived at the moment in the Advent season where we start to echo the motto of “survive and advance.” Survive all the rushing around, the frustrated shoppers, the overcrowded parking lots, in order to advance to the celebration of Christmas morning. After a month of hustle and bustle we’re just ready for things to slow down and to move on to the celebrations.

To be honest, however, there might be some among us who might have a different view about at this time in December. You might not be thinking about simply surviving to Christmas morning or wishing for things to slow down. You are thinking about something else. You are just ready for Christmas to be over. Continue reading “Expect the Unexpected”

Christian Leadership, Christianity, Culture, Devotion, Encouragement, Faith, Life, Sermon

A Reason to Rejoice

It stands out a little bit, does it not? The pink candle that is. It brightly burns as it is encircled by the Advent wreath’s three purple candles.

On this third Sunday of Advent, it is not just that solitary pink candle that stands out. The message it represents also stands out. It represents joy. A sense of happiness that can be unlike many of the emotions of experiences that we tend to focus upon. Continue reading “A Reason to Rejoice”